UPDATED: Master Plan Changes Could Power Alternative Energy Opportunities

Wind farms in Hartland?

Not anytime soon and they might not even be economically feasible, but they could be more of a possibility under a new openness to alternative energy included in proposed changes to Hartland Township's master plan.

The Township Board will next consider the changes likely at its April 19 meeting after the Planning Commission voted to recommend them on Thursday.

Officials included the new language for alternative energy to provide an option that could help preserve the township's agricultural areas while promoting economic development, said Township Clerk Larry Hopkins, who sits on the planning commission. Other language designed to support agriculture is included as well in the plan, which provides legal support to justify zoning decisions.

"This was a first step to put some things down on paper on a list of things we'd be willing to explore," Hopkins said.

But wind power companies might not look at the township as a growth area, Hopkins added, pointing out that a state study for wind energy targets coastline areas as places with the most potential. Still, Hopkins said he and his neighbors on the west side of the township know it gets windy.

"There maybe parts of the township ripe for windmills," he said.

Another addition to the plan are new guidelines for development in the village area. They include:

• Supporting a "retail-oriented mix of businesses that encourages an active pedestrian environment" by providing density and parking incentives for those developments.
• "Maintaining architectural design standards that are compatible with the character of the Village" while allowing for more flexibility on style.
• Continuing to support public events that bring people to the village.

There are also proposed changes to the township's Future Land Use Plan — which reflects township goals and not necessarily the current zoning — that affect densities in the southwest corner of the township. These include designating an area south of Bergin Road with two or more acres per dwelling unit and areas west of San Marino and Hartland Estates and Hacker Road 1/2 acre to 1 acre per dwelling unit.

Currently under the plan, the area south of Bergin was planned for a higher density while the areas north were expected to maintain a lower density.

Hopkins said the changes reflect trends in both areas. He said a change to the area  between Hacker and San Marino would allow for possible growth to that subdivision while the area north of M-59 already had projects for higher density.

In addition, officials said with M-59 running between those areas, more growth could be supported unlike the area south of Bergin Road, where voters rejected a new tax last year to pay for paving what current is a gravel section of the road, Hopkins said.

Editor's note: This story was updated Friday to reflect the Planning Commission's vote.